Every year, USTA Georgia recognizes the outstanding accomplishments made by tennis players, coaches, tournaments directors and other professionals across the state. Below you’ll find the list of award winners for 2022. They were officially recognized at the 2023 Community Tennis Development Workshop at the JW Marriott Buckhead. Congratulations to all of them on their achievements in tennis across the state of Georgia! (photos courtesy of Dane Sponberg).
Special thanks goes to Sam Crenshaw of 92.9 The Game for being our Master of Ceremonies.
Special recognition goes to the USTA Atlanta Combo Doubles Tournament (Adult Tournament of the Year) & Darren Potkey (Mac MacDougal Tennis Official of the Year) for also receiving the USTA Southern award in their respective category.
Ruth Ryner Lay Lifetime Achievement Award – Jim Hamm
John Callen Excellence in Leadership Award – Robin Stevens
Presidents Award – Marcy Hirshberg
Adult Tournament of the Year – USTA Atlanta Combo Doubles
(accepted by Tournament Director Maegan Kulich)
Al Parker Junior Player of the Year – Chase Fralick
Charles H. Cox, Jr. Award for Adult Player of the Year – Maxime Buyckx
Dr. Robert Bunnen Community Tennis Association of the Year –
USTA Atlanta
USTA League Female Captain of the Year – Arrie Lugar
Hardie Family Award for Junior Sportsmanship of the Year – Aidan Atwood
Iberia Bank Tennis Professional of the Year – Jaleel Riaz
James Kincaid Family Award for Family of the Year – The Sungwoo Jung Family
Janet Louer Junior Team Tennis Coordinator of the Year – Wendy Chadwell
Jerry Baskin Scholar Athlete – Kennedy Bell
Junior Team Tennis Captain of the Year – Diane Freeman
Junior Tournament of the Year – Peach State Junior Closed
(Accepted by Tournament Director Turhan Berne)
Kathleen & Cannon Carr High School Coach of the Year – Derek Lashley
Local League Coordinator of the Year – Sara Dismuke
Mac MacDougal Tennis Official of the Year – Darren Potkey
Male Captain of the Year – Paul Carrington
Marc Kaplan Media Excellence Award – Talking Tennis Southern Style podcast
(Accepted by Ron Cioffi, USTA Southern)
Member Organization of the Year –
Central Savannah River Area Tennis Association
NJTL Chapter of the Year – Atlanta Youth Tennis & Education Foundation
(Accepted by Executive Director Kirsten Robles)
Randy Stephens Award for State Volunteer Service – Stewart Atkins
Richard C. Botsch Educational Merit Award – Sandy Rodney
Signature Tennis Courts Award Tennis Director of the Year – Dave Neuhart
Team Tennis Event of the Year – USTA Georgia JTT State Championships
(Accepted by Tournament Director Elizabeth Beaver)
Special Tennis Event of the Year – Breast Cancer Awareness Scramble
(Accepted by Linda Gordon, CORTA)
Wheelchair Excellence Award – Cole Wooten
